BoKnows Posted August 13, 2020 Share Posted August 13, 2020 It's no secret that some of the NHLs franchises are failing. The NHL is basically burning money by keeping these franchises in their respective cities. With failed business ventures come new opportunities. It's time for the NHL to start reconsidering where a couple of their franchises are located. There are two main culprits, and one wildcard team. Two main culprits: Arizona Coyotes - Surprise! The Arizona coyotes have been the black sheep of the NHL for quite some time now. The Arizona Coyotes are losing loads of money. Take a look at their operating income: https://www.statista.com/statistics/374846/phoenix-coyotes-operating-income/. It's just brutal, they're bleeding money. The lack of attendance is not just isolated to the Coyotes. The Suns have seen some pretty abysmal attendance numbers throughout their existence. The Phoenix area is just not a sports market. Arizona -> Houston Makes sense. Arizona is already slated to be realigned into the central division. Dallas proves that hockey works in Texas. There would be a natural rivalry in between Dallas and Houston. The Houston Rockets owner already mentioned that he wants an NHL team in Houston. The team can play at the Toyota Centre. Lastly, Houston is one of the most populous cities in North America. The move makes sense, and it's really not a matter of if, but a matter of when. Florida Panthers - Who would of guessed? Another NHL franchise that can't sell out a game unless the Canadiens or Leafs are in town. Miami doesn't care about hockey. People in Miami only have an appetite for two of their teams, the Heat, and Dolphins. How many years of constantly failing does it take to convince Bettman that South beach is not a viable market? A lot apparently. It's time for the NHL and Miami to officially break up. Miami -> Milwaukee Woah, not Quebec City. I don't think it's a smart business strategy for the NHL to add another small market Canadian team. NBC's TV deal is expiring soon, if the NHL wants ESPN to put a big bid in relocating to smaller Canadian markets doesn't help. Milwaukee works for a few reasons. They have a gorgeous brand new arena. It's up North. There would be an insane natural rivalry with Chicago, and Minnesota. Madison is a natural fit for their AHL affiliate. The biggest problem with this is that a western conference team will need to be realigned to the east. I think this would be a great move for the NHL. Wildcard Ottawa -> Quebec City Move one small market Canadian team to another small market Canadian city. If Ottawa doesn't figure out their arena issues soon this move only makes sense. Quebec City has a new arena and they actually have the desire for an NHL franchise unlike Ottawa. I'm surprised this move has not been brought up more to be honest. When it comes to the NHL as a whole, relocations is one of one of my favourite topics to talk about. Let me know your thoughts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoKnows Posted August 13, 2020 Author Share Posted August 13, 2020 Other teams that may have more success somewhere else Carolina Anaheim Islanders New Jersey Columbus I'd be hesitant to move any of these teams though. Other potential markets Portland Kansas City Cleveland Hartford Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickenspear Posted August 13, 2020 Share Posted August 13, 2020 Honestly, like the Milwaukee idea, though QC was my main wish, and the Houston idea made sense to me (still does) around the time of the Vegas expansion, except I had Panthers moving to Houston, Coyotes to QC. Pretty sold on those first two points. Ottawa to QC, not so sure now, at best it's a lateral move. Get rid of Melnyk first, before considering relocation. I believe there is a fan base for the right owner(s)/GM. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoKnows Posted August 13, 2020 Author Share Posted August 13, 2020 6 minutes ago, Chickenspear said: Honestly, like the Milwaukee idea, though QC was my main wish, and the Houston idea made sense to me (still does) around the time of the Vegas expansion, except I had Panthers moving to Houston, Coyotes to QC. Pretty sold on those first two points. Ottawa to QC, not so sure now, at best it's a lateral move. Get rid of Melnyk first, before considering relocation. I believe there is a fan base for the right owner(s)/GM. You almost need the QC move to be lateral. The NHL has to make it's league as marketable as possible to the people paying big bucks to get TV rights, sponsorships, etc. Three small market Canadian teams definitely brings down the NHLs value. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickenspear Posted August 13, 2020 Share Posted August 13, 2020 11 minutes ago, BoKnows said: You almost need the QC move to be lateral. The NHL has to make it's league as marketable as possible to the people paying big bucks to get TV rights, sponsorships, etc. Three small market Canadian teams definitely brings down the NHLs value. I meant that was my thinking back around Vegas expansion, since then I've come around to that conclusion. I would like to see how much of a difference no Melnyk would make to the Sens before considering making the move to QC though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
24K PureCool Posted August 13, 2020 Share Posted August 13, 2020 I want the panthers to move all the way to Portland, reduce our travel even more and we cam really get the battle of Cascadia going with all three parts represented with Van, Seattle, and Portland. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
6of1_halfdozenofother Posted August 13, 2020 Share Posted August 13, 2020 More west coast would be nice (pacific northwest even better) - but when you compare populations of where the teams are at now vs. the populations of cities in the pacific northwest, there's a very strong argument to be made that there isn't the critical mass necessary for a team to succeed. And yes, I'm aware that Canada has teams in cities where the population is even smaller (think: Vancouver, Winterpeg, Edmonton, and Calgary), but we're a maniacal fanatic bunch up here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theo5789 Posted August 13, 2020 Share Posted August 13, 2020 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoKnows Posted August 13, 2020 Author Share Posted August 13, 2020 18 minutes ago, Chickenspear said: I meant that was my thinking back around Vegas expansion, since then I've come around to that conclusion. I would like to see how much of a difference no Melnyk would make to the Sens before considering making the move to QC though. I agree. A move to QC would only make sense if Ottawa doesn't get an arena planned within this decade. 17 minutes ago, 24K PureCool said: I want the panthers to move all the way to Portland, reduce our travel even more and we cam really get the battle of Cascadia going with all three parts represented with Van, Seattle, and Portland. 13 minutes ago, 6of1_halfdozenofother said: More west coast would be nice (pacific northwest even better) - but when you compare populations of where the teams are at now vs. the populations of cities in the pacific northwest, there's a very strong argument to be made that there isn't the critical mass necessary for a team to succeed. And yes, I'm aware that Canada has teams in cities where the population is even smaller (think: Vancouver, Winterpeg, Edmonton, and Calgary), but we're a maniacal fanatic bunch up here. Anaheim in Portland . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeBossy Posted August 13, 2020 Share Posted August 13, 2020 Here's an even crazier idea Arizona back to Winnipeg Winnipeg to Colorado Colorado to Quebec City 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UKNuck96 Posted August 13, 2020 Share Posted August 13, 2020 6 hours ago, BoKnows said: Other teams that may have more success somewhere else Carolina Anaheim Islanders New Jersey Columbus I'd be hesitant to move any of these teams though. Other potential markets Portland Kansas City Cleveland Hartford As much as I would love to see a team back in Hartford - they don’t have the arena for it. The XL really needs a massive facelift or rebuilding, which won’t happen as there isn’t an appetite for it, nor are there potential owners sniffing around for a team there. plus everything easy or north of Hartford is basically bruins fan base 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Junkyard Dog Posted August 13, 2020 Share Posted August 13, 2020 How's the hockey fan base in Salt Lake City? 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoKnows Posted August 14, 2020 Author Share Posted August 14, 2020 1 hour ago, Junkyard Dog said: How's the hockey fan base in Salt Lake City? I can see Salt Lake supporting an NHL franchise. They love their Jazz out there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin Biestra Posted August 14, 2020 Share Posted August 14, 2020 9 hours ago, 24K PureCool said: I want the panthers to move all the way to Portland, reduce our travel even more and we cam really get the battle of Cascadia going with all three parts represented with Van, Seattle, and Portland. I don't think any business is going to be clamoring to expand to Portland any time soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PistolPete13 Posted August 19, 2020 Share Posted August 19, 2020 On 8/13/2020 at 4:15 PM, Junkyard Dog said: How's the hockey fan base in Salt Lake City? I saw the Utah Stars play a game there. Seems like a good market. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PistolPete13 Posted August 19, 2020 Share Posted August 19, 2020 I like the idea of Houston and Milwaukee. Portland and San Diego would be awesome too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UKNuck96 Posted August 19, 2020 Share Posted August 19, 2020 (edited) Is Austin Texas a viable option? Edited August 19, 2020 by UKNuck96 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoKnows Posted August 19, 2020 Author Share Posted August 19, 2020 8 hours ago, UKNuck96 said: Is Austin Texas a viable option? It could be. It think Houston would be the best city to add a second franchise to Texas. Austin is really close to San Antonio so they have that going for them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HorvatToBaertschi Posted August 20, 2020 Share Posted August 20, 2020 Ottawa's issues are solved the day the move the arena to Lebreton Flats. Oh, and the day Melnyk leaves Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rychicken Posted August 20, 2020 Share Posted August 20, 2020 Granted it was 40+ years ago, but Houston was one of the more successful WHA teams....could see it working there. Milwaukee as well, and QC - not sure others would Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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